Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has osteoporosis and is prescribed (Fosamax) alendronate 70 mg PO weekly. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
A. "I take my other pills at least 30 minutes after my alendronate."
This statement does not indicate a need for further instruction. It is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate before taking other medications to ensure proper absorption of the drug.
B. "I take my alendronate on the same day every week with an 8-ounce glass of milk."
This statement indicates a need for further instruction. Alendronate should be taken with plain water, not milk. Milk and other dairy products can interfere with the absorption of alendronate due to their calcium content.
C. "I sit up and read the morning paper after taking my alendronate."
This statement does not indicate a need for further instruction. Patients are advised to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate to prevent esophageal irritation or ulceration.
D. "I will need to have a bone density test occasionally while taking this medication."
This statement does not indicate a need for further instruction. Periodic bone density tests are a standard part of monitoring the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Rn Adult Medical Surgical 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement does not indicate a need for further instruction. It is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate before taking other medications to ensure proper absorption of the drug.
Choice B reason: This statement indicates a need for further instruction. Alendronate should be taken with plain water, not milk. Milk and other dairy products can interfere with the absorption of alendronate due to their calcium content.
Choice C reason: This statement does not indicate a need for further instruction. Patients are advised to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate to prevent esophageal irritation or ulceration.
Choice D reason: This statement does not indicate a need for further instruction. Periodic bone density tests are a standard part of monitoring the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment.
Similar Questions
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is to start furosemide therapy for heart failure. Which of the following statements indicates that the client understands a potential adverse effect of this medication?
A. "I'm going to include more cantaloupe in my diet."
Including more cantaloupe in the diet is a good practice for a client on furosemide therapy. Cantaloupe is high in potassium, and furosemide can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels) as it is a potent diuretic that increases urine production and the excretion of various electrolytes, including potassium. Therefore, consuming foods rich in potassium can help counteract this potential adverse effect.
B. "I will check my pulse before I take the medication."
Checking the pulse before taking the medication is a general safety measure but does not directly relate to a specific adverse effect of furosemide. While it's important to monitor heart rate, especially in clients with heart failure, this statement does not reflect an understanding of the adverse effects related to furosemide.
C. "I will try to limit foods that contain salt."
Trying to limit foods that contain salt is an appropriate action for a client with heart failure but is not directly related to an adverse effect of furosemide. Reducing salt intake can help manage heart failure by preventing fluid retention; however, it does not address the specific adverse effects of furosemide therapy.
D. "I'll check my blood pressure so it doesn't get too high."
Checking blood pressure to ensure it doesn't get too high is important for clients with heart failure but does not indicate an understanding of the adverse effects of furosemide. Furosemide is used to reduce excess fluid in the body, which can lower blood pressure, not increase it. This statement does not reflect an understanding of furosemide's potential to cause electrolyte imbalances.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Including more cantaloupe in the diet is a good practice for a client on furosemide therapy. Cantaloupe is high in potassium, and furosemide can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels) as it is a potent diuretic that increases urine production and the excretion of various electrolytes, including potassium. Therefore, consuming foods rich in potassium can help counteract this potential adverse effect.
Choice B reason: Checking the pulse before taking the medication is a general safety measure but does not directly relate to a specific adverse effect of furosemide. While it's important to monitor heart rate, especially in clients with heart failure, this statement does not reflect an understanding of the adverse effects related to furosemide.
Choice C reason: Trying to limit foods that contain salt is an appropriate action for a client with heart failure but is not directly related to an adverse effect of furosemide. Reducing salt intake can help manage heart failure by preventing fluid retention; however, it does not address the specific adverse effects of furosemide therapy.
Choice D reason: Checking blood pressure to ensure it doesn't get too high is important for clients with heart failure but does not indicate an understanding of the adverse effects of furosemide. Furosemide is used to reduce excess fluid in the body, which can lower blood pressure, not increase it. This statement does not reflect an understanding of furosemide's potential to cause electrolyte imbalances.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. The client asks why the fluid in the water-seal chamber rises and falls. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "This means your lung is fully re-expanded."
The fluctuation of fluid in the water-seal chamber does not necessarily mean that the lung is fully re-expanded. The water-seal chamber's fluid level fluctuates with the client's breathing because it reflects the changes in intrathoracic pressure.
B. "Your breathing pattern causes this."
The statement "Your breathing pattern causes this" is correct. The fluctuation, also known as tidaling, in the water-seal chamber is normal and occurs in response to the client's breathing. When the client inhales, negative pressure in the chest cavity causes the fluid level to rise, and when the client exhales, the pressure becomes positive, causing the fluid level to fall.
C. "Suction pressure that is too high causes this."
Suction pressure that is too high can cause continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber but does not directly cause the fluid in the water-seal chamber to rise and fall. The suction control chamber's bubbling should be steady and gentle when the suction is set correctly.
D. "This indicates a possible air leak."
Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber may indicate an air leak, which is a problem that needs to be addressed. However, normal fluctuation with breathing is not indicative of an air leak.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: The fluctuation of fluid in the water-seal chamber does not necessarily mean that the lung is fully re-expanded. The water-seal chamber's fluid level fluctuates with the client's breathing because it reflects the changes in intrathoracic pressure.
Choice B reason: The statement "Your breathing pattern causes this" is correct. The fluctuation, also known as tidaling, in the water-seal chamber is normal and occurs in response to the client's breathing. When the client inhales, negative pressure in the chest cavity causes the fluid level to rise, and when the client exhales, the pressure becomes positive, causing the fluid level to fall.
Choice C reason: Suction pressure that is too high can cause continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber but does not directly cause the fluid in the water-seal chamber to rise and fall. The suction control chamber's bubbling should be steady and gentle when the suction is set correctly.
Choice D reason: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber may indicate an air leak, which is a problem that needs to be addressed. However, normal fluctuation with breathing is not indicative of an air leak.
A nurse is administering furosemide 80 mg PO twice daily to a client who has pulmonary edema. Which of the following assessment findings indicates to the nurse that the medication is effective?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
A respiratory rate of 24/min is slightly higher than the normal range (12-20 breaths per minute) and does not necessarily indicate the effectiveness of furosemide in treating pulmonary edema.
B. Adventitious breath sounds
Adventitious breath sounds, such as crackles or wheezes, are often present in pulmonary edema and would not indicate that the furosemide is effective. The resolution of these sounds would be a better indicator of improvement.
C. Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hours
Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hours likely indicates a reduction in fluid retention, which is a desired effect of furosemide in the treatment of pulmonary edema. This diuretic effect reduces the fluid overload, thereby improving the symptoms of pulmonary edema.
D. Elevation in blood pressure
An elevation in blood pressure is not an expected outcome of effective furosemide therapy for pulmonary edema. Furosemide is a diuretic and would more likely lead to a reduction in blood pressure due to fluid loss.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: A respiratory rate of 24/min is slightly higher than the normal range (12-20 breaths per minute) and does not necessarily indicate the effectiveness of furosemide in treating pulmonary edema.
Choice B reason: Adventitious breath sounds, such as crackles or wheezes, are often present in pulmonary edema and would not indicate that the furosemide is effective. The resolution of these sounds would be a better indicator of improvement.
Choice C reason: Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hours likely indicates a reduction in fluid retention, which is a desired effect of furosemide in the treatment of pulmonary edema. This diuretic effect reduces the fluid overload, thereby improving the symptoms of pulmonary edema.
Choice D reason: An elevation in blood pressure is not an expected outcome of effective furosemide therapy for pulmonary edema. Furosemide is a diuretic and would more likely lead to a reduction in blood pressure due to fluid loss.